A famous shopping outlet is helping pull cash-rich Chinese tourists into the West after becoming an official tax-free shopping haven.

Sixty visitors from China became the first to experience the tax-free shopping benefits that Clarks Village at Street now has to offer thanks to a coordinated effort from the Somerset Tourism Association and leading tour operator, China Holidays.

The initiative, which has been developed for Somerset to attract more foreign visitors to the area, will offer all non-EU residents the chance of getting a minimum of 14 per cent tax refunded when they shop at Clarks Village.

The plan is to use Clarks Village as the blueprint for Somerset tax-free shopping, rolling the initiative out across other towns in the county as part of a wider programme spearheaded by the Somerset Tourist Association.

Earlier this year, Chinese holiday company executives told how fellow countrymen and women love to buy Clarks shoes in Britain because they are so much cheaper than in China.

John Turner, Director at the STA and the man behind the initiative, said: "This is a momentous occasion for the Village and for Somerset and the Association. This is a great sign of the fast pace of marketing development that Clarks Village and the Somerset Tourism Association have been quick to seize upon with their partners UK Inbound and Visit Britain. We are also delighted to be supported by the Roman Baths who are experts in Chinese tourism, having won prestigious awards in Beijing for their work with the Chinese tourism authorities.

"With the economic winds behind us and with the UK being seen as a more affordable getaway for foreign visitors, this initiative will only add to the incentive to visit beautiful Somerset. Once the project has successfully established itself at Clarks Village we will be working to encourage other market towns to get involved."

The shopping village, which is home to more than 90 big-brand stores, welcomes 4.1 million people per year.

The new tax-free savings have been made reality following stores within Clarks Village joining Global Blue, a market leader in tax-free shopping. Clarks Village will be marketed across the world on different international websites including the Global Blue and China Holidays sites.

David Hall, cabinet member for eco development with Somerset County Council, said: "Tourism is an integral and hugely important component of the Somerset Economy. International Tourism is particularly important as it brings 'new money' into Somerset and gives us an opportunity to showcase our unique tourist attractions to a much larger audience. I am delighted with the STA's initiative to develop the Chinese marketplace and I look forward to welcoming our visitors to this very special county."